Why Spotting Rabbit Damage Early Matters

Rabbits are a growing concern across the South West of England, particularly in rural and agricultural areas. If left unchecked, they can cause substantial destruction to crops, landscapes, and infrastructure. At Heritage Rabbit Management, we help landowners identify early signs of infestation—so effective control can begin right away.

Here are 11 common indicators that rabbits are damaging your land:

1. Grazed Vegetation

Low-growing foliage, young shoots, and seedlings often show signs of being grazed. Rabbit grazing leaves plants unevenly nibbled and stripped down to around 500 mm. This damage is often one of the first noticeable signs.

2. Crop Damage

Rabbits can destroy large areas of arable and silage crops such as wheat, clover, and rapeseed. Look for stunted growth, uneven rows, and bare patches—common indicators of high rabbit activity.

3. Scrapes

Rabbits create shallow, bowl-shaped patches of bare earth known as scrapes. These are often found in grassy areas or at the edge of fields and hedgerows.

4. Digging & Burrows

Burrows are more prominent than scrapes and usually lead into warrens. These can undermine fences, foundations, and even cause livestock injuries if left unmanaged.

5. Pathways & Tracks

Rabbits create clear paths through grass and undergrowth, particularly along field boundaries or through thick vegetation.

6. Droppings

Rabbit droppings are small, round, and fibrous. A high density of droppings in one area usually indicates a well-established warren nearby.

7. Tree Bark Damage

Rabbits strip bark from saplings and young trees during winter. This ringbarking can girdle the trunk, causing irreversible damage or even death to the tree.

8. Lawn Damage

Lawns often suffer from rabbits grazing, scratching, or digging. If your garden or estate lawn has sudden bare spots or uneven patches, rabbits may be the culprits.

9. Fence Undermining

Rabbits can dig under fencing and boundary walls, creating entry points for further infestation or escape routes that damage livestock containment.

10. Noise & Movement at Dusk

Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk. If you frequently see movement in open areas at these times, it may be worth investigating further.

11. Livestock Injuries

While indirect, livestock can suffer leg injuries from rabbit burrows hidden in long grass. This is particularly hazardous for horses and cattle.

What You Can Do

If you've identified any of these signs on your property, early intervention is key. Rabbit populations can double in a single breeding season, and the longer they go untreated, the more expensive the damage becomes.

Heritage Rabbit Management offers professional rabbit control services across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and the wider South West. We use a combination of proven field techniques and ethical control methods tailored to the terrain and level of infestation.

Take Action Today

Don’t wait for minor signs to become major problems.
Contact Heritage Rabbit Management for a free consultation and protect your land before it’s too late.